martial

adjective

mar·​tial ˈmär-shəl 

1

: of, relating to, or suited for war or a warrior

martial music

a martial tone of voice

—Tim Appelo

martial prowess

2

: relating to an army or to military life

martial discipline

stories of martial tradition

—Ewen Macaskill

3

: experienced in or inclined to war : warlike

its martial people fought the British to a standstill

—Mary Anne Weaver

martially

ˈmär-shə-lē 

adverb

Did you know?

Martial and Roman Mythology

Mars was the Roman god of war and one of the patron gods of Rome itself. He was responsible for everything military, from warriors to weapons to marching music. Thus, martial arts are skills of combat and self-defense also practiced as sport. When martial law is declared, a country's armed forces take over the functions of the police. And a court-martial is a military court or trial.

Synonyms

• military
• soldierly

Examples of martial in a Sentence

the marching band played “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” and several other martial airs

one of the basic tenets of martial law

Recent Examples on the Web

Launched in 1987, Street Fighter is a series of fighting games revolving around intense one-on-one battles between a diverse cast of martial artists. —Matt Grobar, Deadline, 21 May 2025

Mixed martial artists are known for showing the scars from war after a fight—win or lose. —Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025

In a recent sit-down with Haute Living, the legendary actor and martial artist shared his thoughts on the current state of Hollywood stunts, which, unlike in Chan’s heyday, is dominated by CGI and wirework trickery. —Jack Dunn, Variety, 11 May 2025

One is a concert pianist and conductor, the other is a martial artist. —Andrea Wurzburger, People.com, 30 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin martialis of Mars, from Mart-, Mars

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing martial

• court-martial
• drumhead court-martial
• martial art
• martial law
• mixed martial arts

Rhymes for martial

• marshal
• parshall
• partial
• impartial

Kids Definition

martial

adjective

mar·​tial ˈmär-shəl 

1

: of, relating to, or suited for war or a warrior

martial music

2

: of or relating to an army or to military life

martial discipline

martially

-shə-lē 

adverb

Etymology

Middle English martial "relating to or suited for war," from Latin martialis "of Mars," from Mars "god of war"

Biographical Definition

Martial

biographical name

Mar·​tial ˈmär-shəl 

circa a.d. 40–circa 103 Marcus Valerius Martialis Roman epigrammatist